PAL JOEY -- First Preview Thoughts — Page 4

Agree with Jordangirl.. I think with Channing, it's just a case of her becoming more comfortable with the role, and having more time.

She jumped the gun a few times with her lines (and flubbed a few as well) -

I think in time, she will be fine. Plimpton will still be the show, but Channing will be fine.

Its Hoff that is the problem. He is simply (and this horse is getting beaten to death) miscast. At intermission, I just turned to Sara and said.. "wow, is it me, or is he awful?"-

Hey Sara! :) Sorry I bolted afterwards...it was a LONG week, like I told y'all before.

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Tonight's special Sunday show was pretty tight being as it was preview 3 or 4. Stockard was on fine form and looks stunning in some of those frocks! She's not a singer but really puts 'BBB' over really movingly.
I agree that Hoff is wrong for the part, his sing ing is very off at times. It needs work and could end up being a great show. Great cast, great set, great costumes.

Saw it on Sunday.

Agree with everyone that Christian Hoff can't really dance or sing. 10 minutes into the show I found myself thinking :"How nice it would have been with Gene Kelly doing the show....." Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys was a great role for Hoff. But here in Pal Joey, the lack of dancing and singing skills shows. And one can't help but wonder why so many women would fall for him as he's not even a bit charming in the role. Maybe he's trying to pull a Frank Sinatra here (as in the film version), but near the end of Act I when he was doing some dancing, it was painful to watch.

Stockard Channing's acting was topnotch, nice to see her back on B'way. Not sure though if this is the right role for her. Her singing is just average and I guess it didn't help that I listened to the 1995 Encores! recording earlier yesterday in which Patti LuPone had the part.

Marth Plimpton & Jenny Fellner are the better singers in the show. And credits to the costume designers. The black/sheer gown Channing wore was stunning.

In an ideal world producers would cast people most suitable (and with the best singing/dancing/acting skills) for the roles. But this is not an ideal world, and in an economic environment like this, they'll probably keep putting big names on B'way to seel tix, regardless of their qualifications.

This is not the worst new musical this season, and I'm just happy to see a revival (albeit a mediocre one) of a beloved musical, paying $30+. (Not sure if I'd say the same had I paid $121...)

Hoff and Stock both jump each others lines on two occasions i remember. I really look forward to seeing this again, hopefully in a few weeks time on another visit.
I got my seat for Sundays 7.30pm show at TKTS and paid $67 for a front row aisle seat- perfect- the stage was chest hight and the angle as perfect taking into account how close some shows are! I would have played $121 for that, no prob.
i wonder if they'll do a recording what with the names attached?

Yea, agreed I see exactly what your saying!
'The Pyjama Party' was dire!
'Threepenny Opera' just wasn't worth 3 cents!

Really great, the dance arrangements are brilliant. The orchestra spread over the two mezz boxes works really well and they sound fantastic.

After Christian Hoff files a $5 million lawsuit against Roundabout and Joe Mantello for breach of contract, libel and conspiracy, his lawyers will be issuing subpoenas to logan0215, broadwaybaby086, testing1232 and others. They'll trace these thru isp records the way they did in that recent Colorado case. Many people think those early postings were planned and coordinated, and the lawyers will want to get to the bottom of it.

his lawyers will be issuing subpoenas to logan0215, broadwaybaby086, testing1232 and others.

huh?

LOL. These people are just ordinary broadway world posters that are expressing their opinions. I met some of them..I can assure you that they are NOT connected with Roundabout- basically they are just using their common sense! I dont see anything wrong with that?

J*